Atari enters into an agreement to acquire Digital Eclipse
Atari enters into an agreement to acquire
Digital Eclipse
PARIS,
FRANCE (October [31], 2023 - 8.00 am CET) - Atari® (the
“Company”) — one of the world's most iconic
consumer brands and interactive entertainment producers — is
pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement to
acquire Digital Eclipse Entertainment Partners Co (“Digital
Eclipse”), a game development studio originally founded in
1992 focused on the digital restoration of classic video games,
based in Emeryville, California.
The acquisition of Digital Eclipse will allow Atari to expand
its internal development capabilities and utilize Digital Eclipse’s
industry-leading experience and proprietary technology. In joining
Atari, Digital Eclipse will grow its business and capabilities by
expanding its development capacity and access to world-class IP and
will leverage Atari’s management expertise.
By adding Digital Eclipse, along with Nightdive Studios in May
2023, Atari will be able to further support its retro-focused
growth strategy.
AGREEMENT SIGNED TO ACQUIRE DIGITAL ECLIPSE
Founded in 1992, Digital Eclipse is a game development studio
dedicated to preserving gaming’s heritage and telling the stories
of gaming history through archival releases and interactive
documentaries. Digital Eclipse pioneered commercial video game
emulation well before it was a household concept and today Digital
Eclipse is one of a select few development studios recognized as
leaders in retro-focused development.
Recent notable projects from Digital Eclipse include Street
Fighter: 30th Anniversary, Mega Man Legacy Collection, SNK 40th
Anniversary Collection, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga
Collection and Disney Classic Games Collection, which all sold
millions of units and were critically acclaimed. More recently,
Digital Eclipse developed the Atari 50: The Anniversary Collection
which has been labeled as the “new gold standard” for games
compilations and was one of the highest rated titles of 2022.
Digital Eclipse's most recent projects include the launch of The
Making of Karateka and Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad
Overlord in Early Access on Steam.
Since inception, Digital Eclipse has produced over 250+ games
and developed long-standing relationships with leading publishing
and development partners in the industry to deliver amazing video
games and collections. With its innovative proprietary technology,
Digital Eclipse is now leading this category in sales, critical
reception and innovation.
Wade Rosen, Chairman and CEO of Atari commented: “Digital
Eclipse is the best in the world at what they do. They have a deep
love and respect for the history of the games industry, and are
renowned for developing critically acclaimed projects based on
historic franchises. Digital Eclipse, along with Nightdive, are in
perfect alignment with Atari’s DNA and renewed purpose. I’m
personally excited to see where we can push the boundaries of retro
innovation together.”
Andrew Ayre, Chief Executive Officer, commented: “Atari and
Digital Eclipse share the same ethos when it comes to celebration
and preservation of gaming history. It’s an exciting combination,
and I am confident this will serve Digital Eclipse and our fans
extremely well as we grow our business and expand our
capabilities.”
Mike Mika, President and Creative Director commented: “Our
experience collaborating on Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration
was revelatory. The trust that Atari showed our team, and our clear
mutual love and respect for the content, positioned us to produce
something truly remarkable. I know Atari will continue to champion
our approach and that we will be bringing fans exciting new
projects for years to come.”
TERMS AND TIMING OF THE ACQUISITION
The purchase price of Digital Eclipse will consist of an initial
consideration of US$6.5 million payable at the closing of the
acquisition, of which (i) US$4.0 million in cash1 and (ii) US$2.5
million in newly issued Atari ordinary shares2, as well as a
remaining earn-out of up to $13.5 million, payable in cash over the
next ten years based on future performance of Digital Eclipse.
It is expected that the acquisition of Digital Eclipse will be
completed in the coming days.
FINANCING OF THE ACQUISITION
In addition to the cash consideration, Atari will also acquire a
portion of the shares in Digital Eclipse directly and the purchase
price of such shares corresponding to US$2.5 million (€2.4 million)
will be paid by way of set-off against the issuance of newly issued
Atari SA shares3.
The reserved capital increase will result in the issuance of
20,165,794 new Atari shares. As a result, Digital Eclipse
shareholders will together hold upon completion of the capital
increase 4.6% of Atari’s share capital4. The determination of the
number of Atari shares to be issued is based on the 20-day volume
weighted average price of Atari shares on Euronext Growth Paris
until the signing date of the purchase agreement of €0.1169, in
accordance with the terms of the delegation to the board of
directors.
The majority of Digital Eclipse shareholders, holding in
aggregate approximately 95% of Digital Eclipse capital, have agreed
to a 1-year lock-up on their Atari shares as from the Closing of
the acquisition.
About ATARI
Atari is an interactive entertainment
company and an iconic gaming industry brand that transcends
generations and audiences. The company is globally recognized for
its multi-platform, interactive entertainment and licensed
products. Atari owns and/or manages a portfolio of more than 200
unique games and franchises, including world-renowned brands like
Asteroids®, Centipede®, Missile Command®, Pong®, and RollerCoaster
Tycoon®. Atari has offices in New York and Paris. Visit us online
at www.atari.com.
Atari shares are listed in France on
Euronext Growth Paris (ISIN Code FR0010478248, Ticker ALATA) and
OTC Pink Current (Ticker PONGF).
©2023 Atari Interactive, Inc. Atari
wordmark and logo are trademarks owned by Atari Interactive,
Inc.
Contacts
Atari - Investor
Relations Tel + 33 1
83 64 61 58 - investisseur@atari-sa.com | www.atari.com/news/
Calyptus – Marie Calleux
Tel + 33 1 53 65 68 68 – atari@calyptus.net
Listing Sponsor- EurolandTel +33 1 44 70 20
84Julia Bridger - jbridger@elcorp.com
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1 Subject to customary net debt / working
capital adjustment and including US$1.5 million as pre-payment of
the earn-out2 Atari SA will acquire shares in Digital Eclipse, the
purchase price of such shares being paid by way of set-off against
the issuance of new Atari SA shares - see "Financing of the
Acquisition" below. The settlement-delivery of the Atari shares
will take place in the coming weeks3 The issuance will be
implemented through a share capital increase of Atari reserved to
categories of persons meeting specific conditions made under the
delegation to the board of directors of Atari set out in Resolution
N°13 of the General Shareholders’ Meeting of Atari held on
September 29, 2023.4 Based on a total number of Atari shares, after
completion of the share capital increase of 442,362,188 shares.
- Atari - Agreement to acquire Digital Eclipse_2231031
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